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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. I. HARP. SHIP-.PING CRATE.

No. 583,598. y Patented June 1, 1897'.`

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, W. I. HARP.

. SHIPPING CRATE.

No. 583,598. Pa ted June11, 1897.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet 3.

W. I. HARP. SHIPPING CRATE.

lantented June l Inventor' WZ'QMMQ?" By Attorneys,

Wltne es as shown in Fig. 2.

UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM I. HARP, OF SPARTA, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OF TIVO- TIIIRDS TO WILLIAM C. FIELDS AND ROBERT II. IIAOKLER, OF SAME PLACE.

SHIPPING-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 583,598, dated June 1, 1897.V

Application filed October 16,1896. Serial No. 609,094. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, VILLIAM I. HARP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sparta, in the county of Alleghany and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Shipping-Crate, of which the following is a specification. A

My invention relates to shipping-crates, and has for its object to provide a crate which is constructed to fold into compact form for return shipment, the same having simple and efficient means for securing it in its open or operative position, said means being such as to facilitate the introduction of merchandise.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a crate constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being adapted for shipping poultry. Fig. 2 isasimilar view of the same folded. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a crate constructed in accordance with my invention adapted for produce, such as berries, fruit, eggs, and the like. Fig. 4 is a detail view in perspective of the terminallydetachable brace. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the terminal catches for securing the extremities of the hinged sides or doors. Fig. 6 is a detail transverse section to show the hinge-joint between connected members of the crate.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l and la represent opposite parallel walls, which in the construction illustrated in Figs. l and 2 constitute, respectively, the top and bottom of a crate adapted for poultry, and these parallel walls are terminally connected by hinged end walls 2, which are adapted to fold into planes approximately parallel with the walls l and l when the crate is collapsed, The -joint between the contiguous edges of the sides and ends is preferably constructed to allow the end walls to fold in either direction-namely, either inwardly or outwardlyand for this purpose I preferably employ a looped strap 3, terminally secured to one of the connected meinbers and engaging a rounded portion or journal 4 on the othermember. In the construction illustrated the extremities of the looped strap are attached to the terminal bars of the parallel walls l l, and the journals which are engaged by said straps are formed by rounding portions of the bars forming opposite sides of the frames of the end walls, the inner or contiguous surfaces of the parallel walls being provided with cross-sectionallyrounded grooves 5, concentric, respectively, with the axes of the journals, to allow the angles at the outer edges of the frames of said end walls to operate in expanding and collapsing the crate. In other words, said grooves provide clearance for the contiguous angles of the end walls without forming an interval between the parts at their exposed surfaces in either position. When the parts are in their normal or operative positions, the clearance-grooves are covered and closed by the side edges of the end walls which are arranged in contact with the inner surfaces of theside walls, and when the partsare in the folded position (illustrated in Fig. 2) the side surfaces of the frames of the end walls cover and close the clearance-grooves. By this arrangement obstruetions are prevented from collecting in the grooves and interfering with the operation of the parts.

In addition to the parallel side and connecting pivotal end walls the crate includes folding or pivotal side walls 6, which are hinged at one edge only to the contiguous side wall (in this case indicated by the numeral la) by means of hinges similar to those above described, whereby they are adapted to fold either inwardly or outwardly. lVhen it is desired to fold the crate, these pivotal side walls are swung inwardly to lie parallel with the parallel side walls, as shown in Fig. 2, and in order to hold said pivotal side walls in their operative position I employ terminal catches 7, consisting of spring-tongues secured to the contiguous portions of the end walls and provided at their free ends with seats 8 to receive the edges of the pivotal side walls, said tongues being arranged in alinement with for repression into cavities 9 in said end walls. These catches must be IOO disengaged from the extremities of the pivotal side walls in order to allow the latter to be folded, said disengagement being accomplished manually, but when the pivotal side walls are swung to their operative positions they are engaged automatically by the catches. In addition to said catches I preferably employ transverse braces 10 and 11, which connect the parallel side Walls at intermediate points and span the interval therebetween. These braces are of sectional construction, consisting of a main section or bar 12 and term in al or attaching sections 13,which are secured to the parallel side walls. These terminal sections are preferably of angular construction, whereby their attachment is at the outer sides of the parallel side walls, and the connection is preferably by means of staples or eyes 1i, whereby the braces are free to move in any direction to prevent straining in operating the crate. The terminal sections of the braces l0 are preferably secured permanently to the parallel side walls, whereby the contiguous pivotal side wall is held from outward swinging movement, but the brace ll is preferably constructed with one extremity detachable from the contiguous parallel side wall, said extremity being` provided with a slot 15 for engaging a staple 16 and also carrying a hook 17 for engaging t-he staple after the slot has been fitted thereover. The object in forming one extremity of the brace ll with a detachable securing device is to allow the brace to be displaced and thereby permit the contiguous pivotal side wall to fold outwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The fact ot allowing one of the pivotal side walls to fold outwardly facilitates the introduction of merchandise, even when the crate is to be used for the shipment of poultry, but this construction is of special advantage in connection with a crate designed for the shipment of produce such as fruit and berries, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

As above described, the terminal sections of the braces 10 and 11 are pivotally connected to the main sections thereof, and preferably the inner ends of said terminal sections are extended beyond their pivotal points to form fastening-tongues 18, which, when the braces are folded, as shown in Fig. 2, project in directions approximately perpendicular to the main sections, and these tongues are provided with means for engagement with the contiguous portions of the edges of the parallel side walls. rlhe means illustrated in the drawings consist of openings 19 in the tongues for engaging headed studs 2O on the edges of the parallel side walls.

The crate illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is of the ventilated construction usually employed for poultry, and in its upper side wall is formed a space fitted with a door or closure 21 to facilitate the removal of the poultry, as in the ordinary practice.

When it is desired to fold the crate, as above indicated, the terminal catches 7 are disengaged from the extremities of the pivotal side walls, and the latter are folded inwardly into a common plane parallel with the side wall l, upon which the same are hinged, after which, without disengaging the extremities of the braces 11, the parallel side walls may be moved toward each other into contact with the intermediate inwardly-folded pivotal side walls, thus arranging the end walls approximately in the planes of said parallel side walls. The extremities of the extensions or tongues 1S may then be engaged with the headed studs 2O of the edges of the parallel side walls to lock the crate in its collapsed condition. In order to set up the crate, said tongues are disengaged from the headed studs, and the parallel side walls are separated in order to arrange the end walls in positions perpendicular thereto, after which the pivotal side walls may be swung outwardly to their perpendicular positions, in which their edges bear, respectively, against the inner surfaces of the parallel side walls and the end walls. Thus specific arrangement of the pivotal side walls prevents collapsing of the crate during transportation, and when the pivotal side walls reach their operative positions they are automatically engaged by the catches 7. If it is desired to open the crate, the detachable extremity of one ot the braces is disengaged and moved out of the path of the contiguous pivotal side wall to allow the latter to swing outwardly instead of inwardly, as when folding the crate.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details ot' construction maybe resorted t-o without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim isl. A folding crate having parallel side walls, terminally connected by pivotal end walls adapted to fold in planes parallel with said side walls, pivotal side walls each mounted at one edge upon one of the parallel side walls, and adapted to fold either inwardly or outwardly between the planes of said parallel side walls, said pivotal side walls serving, when in their normal positions, to hold the parallel side walls and end walls in operative position, and means for securing the pivotal side walls in their normal positions, said means consisting of spring-catches adapted to engage the pivotal side walls, when arranged in the path thereof, substantially as specified.

2. A folding crate having parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls adapted to swing in either direction from a perpendicular position, and pivotal side walls each mounted at one edge upon one of said parallel side walls and adapted to fold either inwardly or outwardly from a perpendicular position, and means for securing the parts in their operative positions, the hinges whereby said members are connected each consisting IOO IlO

of a looped strap terminally secured to one member and a rounded journal carried by and arranged within the contour of the connected member and engaged by the looped portion of said strap, whereby the member carrying the journal is adapted to swing through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees, substantially as specified.

3. A folding crate having its members connected by spaced hinges, each hinge consisting of a single looped strap attached to one of the members, and a rounded journal arranged upon, and within the contour of, the other member and engaged by said strap, the remaining portion of the edge of the member carrying the journal being angular, and the surface of the member to which the straps are secured being provided throughout its length with a cross-sectionally-rounded clearance-groove in which the angles of the firstnamed member may swing, the clearancegroove being closed by the contiguous edge of the other member when the parts are in their normal relative positions, substantially as specied.

et. A folding crate having opposite parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls, pivotal side walls arranged between the planes of the parallel side walls with their edges in contact with the inner surfaces of said parallel side and end walls and adapted to fold inwardly, and sectional braces connecting the edges of the parallel side walls at intermediate points and spanning the interval therebetween to limit the outward swinging movement of the pivotal side walls, said braces having terminal sections secured to the parallel side walls and a connecting intermediate section adapted, when the crate is folded, to occupy a position parallel with said parallel side walls, substantially as specified.

5. A folding crate having opposite parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls, pivotal side walls arranged between the planes of the parallel side walls and adapted to fold inwardly, and sectional braces connecting the edges of the parallel side walls and spanning the interval therebetween, said braces having pivotal terminal sections provided with extensions, and means for securing said extensions to the edges of the parallel side walls to lock the crate when folded, substantially as specified.

6. A folding crate having parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls, pivotal side walls arranged between the planes of the parallel side walls, and sectional braces connecting the parallel side walls and spanning the interval therebetween, said braces having main sections, pivotal terminal sections of angular construction which are extended beyond their pivotal points to form locking-tongues having openings, and studs on the edges of the parallel side walls for engagement by the openings of said tongues to secure the crate when folded, substantially as specified.

7. A folding crate having parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls, pivotal side walls arranged between the planes of the parallel side walls and adapted to fold inwardly, and sectional or folding braces connecting the edges of the parallel side walls and spanning the interval therebetween, said braces having pivotal terminal sections, and means for detachably securing one terminal section of one of the braces to the contiguous parallel side wall, whereby the contiguous pivotal side wall is released to fold outwardly, substantially as specified.

8. A folding crate having parallel side walls terminally connected by pivotal end walls Y adapted to fold in planes parallel with said side walls, pivotal side walls mounted at one edge upon one of the parallel side walls and adapted to fold between the planes of said parallel side walls, and means for securing the.parts in their normal or operative positions, said means including catches secured to the end walls and having spring-tongues provided with terminal seats to engage the extremities of the pivotal side walls, said tongues being arranged in alinement with, for repression into, cavities in the end walls, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM I. HARP.

Witnesses:

J oHN II. Sleenns, ERNEST FISHER. 

